MOON TOWNSHIP, Pa. – The RMU softball team is set for its third tournament of the season, traveling to Cullowhee, N.C., for five games at the Catamount Classic, hosted by Western Carolina.
 
On Friday, March 6, the Colonials will open the weekend against Ohio at 12:30 PM before facing host Western Carolina at 5:30 PM. RMU returns to action on Saturday, March 7, taking on UPenn at 12:30 PM before another matchup with the Catamounts at 5:30 PM. The tournament concludes Sunday, March 8, with a final game against Ohio at 10:00 AM.
 
All games will have live stats, while RMU's two contests against Western Carolina will stream live on ESPN+.
 
RMU LATELY
RMU (5-4) most recently competed in the Spartan Classic/Sparkle City Invite in Spartanburg, S.C. The Colonials posted a 3-2 record in the tournament, earning two wins over Morgan State and a victory against Holy Cross. RMU also dropped a matchup against host Wofford before pushing USC Upstate to extra innings.
 
Against Morgan State, junior pitcher Kaitlyn Molitoris delivered a standout performance, recording a career-high 12 strikeouts. Junior outfielder Kaylyn Hopf also reached a milestone during the weekend, eclipsing 100 career hits.
 
Through the first nine games of the season, RMU's offense has ranked among the nation's best in several categories. The Colonials ranked fourth in the NCAA in batting average (.403), fourth in runs per game (10.22), fourth in slugging percentage (.724) and sixth in home runs per game (2.11).
 
Individually, junior catcher Agalia Rudd has been one of the most productive hitters in the country. She ranked second nationally in batting average (.615), fourth in slugging percentage (1.346) and tied for ninth in home runs per game (0.56). Senior outfielder/designated player Courtney Poulich leads the nation in runs scored per game (2.22) while also ranking tied for ninth in home runs per game (0.56) and 12th in RBI per game (1.67). Junior shortstop Sequoia Dunlap has also contributed significantly, ranking sixth nationally in runs scored per game (1.56).
 
PROGRAM RECORDS
The Colonials have already made history early this season. In their most recent tournament against Morgan State, RMU scored 12 runs in a single inning, setting a new program record for runs in one frame on the way to a 21-7 victory in five innings.
 
During the opening weekend, RMU also set a program record with six home runs in a single game in a 12-4 win over Le Moyne.
 
ALL-TIME VS. OHIO
RMU holds a 3-2 advantage in the all-time series against Ohio. The Colonials earned wins over the Bobcats by scores of 5-0 and 7-4 in Moon Township in 1992. Most recently, RMU secured a 4-3 victory in Cookeville, Tenn., at the Tennessee Tech Tournament.
 
SCOUTING THE BOBCATS
Ohio enters the weekend with a 12-7 overall record after competing in the Governors Classic in Clarksville, Tenn., where the Bobcats posted a 3-2 mark. Ohio has finished with a winning record in all but one of its tournaments this season.
 
Senior infielder Colleen Bare leads the team with a .456 batting average while also pacing the Bobcats in on-base percentage (.569) and slugging percentage (.684). Senior outfielder Belle Hummel leads the team in hits (29), runs scored (24) and RBI (17), while junior catcher Kylie Gorsuch has hit four home runs.
 
In the circle, graduate pitcher Skipp Miller has served as the team's primary starter, posting a 5-3 record with four complete games, one shutout and 34 strikeouts in 49.1 innings pitched.
 
Last season, Ohio finished 37-19 overall and 18-8 in Mid-American Conference play, advancing to the MAC Championship game before falling to top-seeded Miami (Ohio).
 
ALL-TIME VS. WESTERN CAROLINA
The Colonials and Catamounts have met just once previously, with RMU earning a 9-7 victory in 2013.
 
SCOUTING THE CATAMOUNTS
Western Carolina enters the weekend with a 10-6 record and returns home after competing in the Purple & Gold Classic at Lipscomb.
 
Junior infielder Maya McPherson leads the Catamounts offensively with a .446 batting average while also topping the team in on-base percentage (.467) and hits (25). Junior Sydney Dirks has provided the power, tallying six home runs, 25 RBI and a .849 slugging percentage, while junior infielder Lily Bell leads the team with 19 runs scored.
 
In the circle, sophomore Amanda Fulton has thrown 47 innings with a 4-3 record, recording 54 strikeouts and four complete games. Sophomore AG Batson has also been effective, entering the weekend with a 4-0 record and 31.2 innings pitched.
 
Last season, Western Carolina finished 22-31 overall and 6-14 in Southern Conference play, advancing to the first round of the SoCon Tournament before falling 12-9 to seventh-seeded ETSU.
 
ALL-TIME VS. UPENN
This weekend will mark just the third meeting between RMU and UPenn. The Quakers won the first matchup in 2005 by a score of 9-4. The most recent meeting came in 2018, when RMU earned a 4-3 extra-inning victory.
 
SCOUTING THE QUAKERS
UPenn enters the tournament with a 6-4 record and is currently riding a two-game winning streak after competing in the Longwood Tournament in Farmville, Va.
 
Senior catcher Delaney Smith has led the offense through the first 10 games, posting a .464 batting average with a .571 on-base percentage and 13 RBI. Sophomore outfielder Gigi Ganje has matched Smith with 13 RBI while leading the team with five home runs, a .970 slugging percentage and a 1.444 OPS. In the circle, senior pitcher Kelly Zybura has thrown 26.1 innings with 21 strikeouts. She has recorded two complete games, one shutout and holds a 2-0 record.
 
Last season, the Quakers finished 3-35-1 overall and 1-20 in Ivy League play.
 
COMMON OPPONENTS
Ohio shares several opponents with RMU this season. The Bobcats have already faced Saint Francis, USC Upstate and Canisius and will also take on Pitt, Kent State and Akron later in the year.
 
UPenn previously faced Horizon League member Youngstown State, splitting a two-game series with the Penguins.
 
Western Carolina has played Akron and Winthrop so far this season and will face USC Upstate and Wofford later in the schedule.
 
UP NEXT
RMU continues non-conference action with a midweek road game at Pitt on Wednesday, March 11 at 6:00 PM. The game will stream live on ACC Network.
 
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